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The gun firing training activity tested the naval capabilities of six warships, before integrating the nations into a multinational task group.
The six warships included Australia’s HMAS Perth, the United States’ USS Charleston, Malaysia’s KD Lekiu, Thailand’s HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, Japan’s JS Kirisame and France’s FS Vendemiaire.
Conducted over two days, Exercise Kakadu’s gun fire phase tested an array of naval formations to improve their warfighting capabilities and offered a chance to train with other navies.
Exercise Kakadu was run in the Northern Australian Exercise area between 12-24 September.
According to Defence News, the “gunex” phase of the exercise offered the chance to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s fundamental warfighting capabilities, “blending different procedures, weapons and ammunition types in a percussive symphony”.
The bridge teams were also offered the chance to hone their manoeuvring skills, conducting synchronised formations to ensure a safely conducted gun firing training activity.
Following the “gunex” phase at the beginning of Exercise Kakadu, the ships then tested their naval combat tactics against one another as part of a fictional scenario.
Defence News explained that Exercise Kakadu is the 15th iteration of the RAN’s flagship biennial international engagement activity, incorporating 22 countries and some 15 warships, enhancing their ability to undertake a range of maritime activities including policing operations and high-end warfare.
[Related: Upgraded HMAS Perth ready for action]
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